Robust tube strap clamp - Patent 1010928

(19)

(11)

EP 1 010 928 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	08.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/02

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	21.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/25

(21)	Application number: 99310128.6

(22)	Date of filing: 15.12.1999

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: F16L 3/10

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

18.12.1998 US 215860

(71)	Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
	Schenectady, NY 12345 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Zearbaugh, Scott Richard Milford, Ohio 45140 (US) Shaw, Mark Richard Hamilton, Ohio 45011 (US)

(74)	Representative: Pedder, James Cuthbert et al
	GE London Patent Operation, Essex House, 12/13 Essex Street London WC2R 3AA London WC2R 3AA (GB)

(54)	Robust tube strap clamp

(57) A tube clamping assembly (10) for securing tubes against movement has a bracket (16) and a strap clamp (18) for clamping a tube (12) to the bracket (16). The strap clamp (18) is configured to be sufficiently flexible so as to close large clamp gaps. In one embodiment, the strap clamp (18) has a generally U-shaped portion (24) having a pair of angled leg sections (26) connected to a flat section (28). Each one of the angled leg sections (26) forms an obtuse angle at about its midpoint so as to define an inner segment (30), which is connected to the flat section (28), and an outer segment (32). The inner segment (30) of each angled leg section (26) forms an obtuse angle with the flat section (28), and the outer segments (32) are substantially perpendicular to the flat section (28). The U-shaped portion (24) further includes a mounting flange (34) extending from each one of the angled leg sections (26) for bolting the strap clamp (18) to the bracket (16).

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